NATURE AND SCOPE OF IR

International Relations (IR) is a field of study that focuses on the interactions

between states, international organizations, and other non-state actors on a
global level. It deals with a wide range of topics, including war and peace,
diplomacy, international trade, human rights, and global governance.
APPROACHES TO STUDY IR
There are several approaches to studying IR, each with its own set of
assumptions and methodologies. Some of the major approaches include
realism, neo-realism, idealism, and behaviorism.
REALISM AND NON- REALISM
Realism is a dominant approach that emphasizes the role of power and self-
interest in international relations. It assumes that states are the primary actors
in the international system and that they are driven by a desire to maximize
their power and security. Neo-realism is a variation of realism that focuses on
the structural constraints of the international system, such as the anarchic
nature of the system and the distribution of power among states.
IDEOLISM
Idealism, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of international
cooperation and the pursuit of common goals such as peace and prosperity. It
assumes that states are capable of acting in the interests of the international
community as a whole, rather than just pursuing their own self-interest.
BEHAVIOURISM
Behaviourism is an approach that emphasizes the use of scientific methods to
study international relations. It focuses on observable behaviors and seeks to
identify patterns and regularities in the behavior of states and other actors.
NATIONALISM
Nationalism is a concept that refers to the idea of a shared national identity
among a group of people. It often involves a strong attachment to one's
country and the belief that the interests of the nation should take priority over
other considerations.

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 MODERN STATE AND SOVEREIGNITY
The modern state system is a system of sovereign states that emerged in
Europe in the 17th century. Sovereignty refers to the idea that states have
supreme authority within their own borders and are not subject to external
control or interference.
DOCTRINE OF POWER IN IR
The doctrine of power in IR refers to the idea that power is a central concept in
international relations. It assumes that states are motivated by a desire to
acquire and maintain power and that the distribution of power among states is
a key determinant of the behavior of states in the international system.
ELEMENTS OF POWER
The elements of power in IR include military power, economic power, and
diplomatic power. Military power refers to the ability to use force to achieve
political objectives, while economic power refers to the ability to control
resources and influence economic outcomes. Diplomatic power refers to the
ability to negotiate and persuade other states to act in one's interests.
BALANCE OF POWER
The balance of power is a concept that refers to the distribution of power
among states in the international system. It assumes that states will seek to
maintain a balance of power in order to prevent any one state from becoming
too dominant and threatening the security of other states.
NATIONAL INTEREST IN IR
National interest in IR refers to the interests and objectives of a state in the
international system. It often involves a focus on issues such as security,
economic prosperity, and the promotion of national values and ideals.
CONCEPT OF DIPLOMACY
Diplomacy is the practice of conducting negotiations between states or other
actors in order to resolve disputes or advance mutual interests. It often
involves the use of diplomatic tools such as negotiation, mediation, and
dialogue.
WRITTEN BY
ASIM KHAN PAK STUDY 3RD SEMESTER GPGPC BANNU # 0331-7969005